England have crashed out of Euro 2008 after losing a disastrous game at Wembley against Croatia.

They got off to the worst possible start when new keeper Scott Carson made a dreadul howler in the eighth minute and allowed a shot from distance to bounce off his shoulder into the net.

With just over seven minutes gone Miko Kranjcar cut in and let fly with a shot from a seemingly harmless distance, but Carson - in for out-of-form Robinson - made a classical mistake and failed to get his body behind the ball.

Commentator Mark Lawrenson described it as "more Frank Carson than Scott Carson."

England's misery was compounded just a few minutes later when Arsenal's Eduardo slipped a beautiful ball through to Olic, who rounded Carson to put Croatia two ahead. Eduardo slipped the ball through Sol Campbell's legs as Olic beat the offside trap, showing just how easy football can be.

Croatia could have killed off the game after 41 minutes when Modric's shot was beaten out by Carson but, fortunately, the ball was cleared.

A fightback began after half time when England manager Steve McClaren finally introduced David Beckham and Spurs star Jermaine Defoe.

Defoe was pulled back by his shirt in the box on 54 minutes, earning a penalty which Frank Lampard dispatched despite the pressure-cooker atmosphere.

The impossible looked to be within reach after 65 minutes when Beckham delivered a superb cross into the danger zone. Peter Crouch, despite all the criticisms levelled at him, controlled the ball superbly on his chest and coolly waited for the ball to drop to his feet, from where he finished in stunning style with a perfect volley.

From then on, it should have been a cruise as England only needed a point.

Beckham, looking dangerous whenever England's lacklustre players managed to get the ball to him, delivered another free kick after 70 minutes which was headed back across goal by Richards. Sadly England could not capitalise on the chance.

But Croatia were not at Wembley for fun - despite already being qualified. On 79 mInutes substitute Petric struck a left foot shot from outside the box which, once again, beat the sprawling Carson.

Croatia were the better team on the night in virtually every department. The pitch was a disgrace, as Croatia manager Bilic had predicted - but not as much of a disgrace as the England performance.

Russia held out for a 1-0 win over group whipping boys Andorra who have not yet won a game, meaning Russia go through to the finals.